RO

ket and I moved fast down the narrow path that wound between the trees. Dry

Thoughts would not settle. Desperation kept rising. A

es. No animals moving through the brush. Only the steady удар

rought me cl

fed the storm bu

rying to claw its way out. The urge to break something, to h

to block me from

stomach drop. No moon. Just dar

mo

ight of the mon

it had to

skin felt too tight. The way control kept slipping th

ing had already started. Back and forth

would not

nly option when he demanded it. There had been no room

urrounded by trees and o

on understand

after tonight and stil

ssary. He dese

would be stronger than fear. Hoped

in the air ma

d me first. Fami

mo

as tight with concern. His eyes searched mine

idea what

men. Learning that I was not human would shake him. Learnin

e. Braced for anger. F

, stepping closer. "Why did

eft his mouth when the

sudden.

hrough my body

ng before I could think. It was

A sharp cry tore from my throat as my

ed into new positions. The s

his voice sounded distant,

e. Skin stretched tight

led the air as teeth pushed longer in my mo

urned rough

lf fully to

ade of grass stood out clear. Ever

pain did

core. In my pelvis. A burning, twis

ave of true

e before I coul

is happening?" Damon's

, I saw it clearly. Terror. Conf

ggered

shouting

uld not

ed myself to focus. Forced th

ack hurt j

ones shrank. Fur r

l grass, shaking from head to toe. Th

ew steps away,

you?" he demanded.

" I managed, voi

ger than before. It felt like fire pooling

e a mo

arder than the

own my temples

said. "I'm the sa

"You were all teeth and claws and hai

. His shoulders pulled bac

rd dug

sed harder, mixing wit

ried again. "A

different, but this? T

ig deal. I ca

It ripped through my abdomen and fo

ied. My body demanded so

upright, unste

ching for him. "You'r

away withou

t the ground hard, a

not some animal. Stay away from me. Stay awa

almost a growl. "That's rich. I th

e snapped, tu

ay cracked something

ttled deep.

d quickly. H

me stirred, woun

ould think

rough thin fabric, breaking skin. The taste of blood fi

ain and threw m

leaves and rolle

to my hands, he was alread

o

en what I

chose

Limbs felt weak. Heat still burned

ruel. Damon could not be

the nearest tree. Forehead pressed into roug

came in sh

ring an arra

nted but cou

would stand beside me h

toward the

from deep in my chest and

d hear. It no

body burning in her first true mating he

m all t